Therapist Shares Her Med Taper

[bowiesmom]

On my way out from therapy (and I don't even remember how it happened), my therapist mentioned that she is considering doing a taper from her psych drugs. I hadn't known that she even took psych drugs. I'm feeling like I don't want to be her patient while she goes through drug withdrawal. I've been through that and it wasn't pleasant. At the same time, I hate the process of finding a new therapist. I've seen her for close to 2yrs.

This has brought me to question whether I'm getting something from this therapy. And if it hadn't come out and I wouldn't have this information?

The bottomline is that I am struggling. I don't need any of this. But that is life and something is always coming up. Looking for thoughts on this. Thanks.

 

[hopefully optimistic]

Why did she tell you this?? Seems really strange for her to mention it to you at YOUR therapy session. Then again, I’m fairly new to therapy and don’t know much....

 

[bellbird]

The bottomline is that I am struggling. I don't need any of this.

I understand.
Do you have access to any modalities other than therapy to provide support to you during this rough patch?

If you're having doubts about therapy, then maybe it's not the best thing for you at the moment (therapist tapering aside).

But on the other hand, we don't know that your T will -actually- have any noticeable negative effects from her tapering.
She may taper very slowly, so that you don't even notice anything.

I would caution against stopping therapy before that, for that reason alone.
If you decide to stop because therapy isn't working full stop, then that's a different story.

Therapists are paid for a service that they are then responsible to maintain.
Life happens for everyone, therapists included.
While I was with my old T, her father passed. I knew that he was very ill, but she did not allow her personal life to infiltrate our sessions.

It can be done.

ETA: Tapering does not = withdrawal.
Tapering is done to prevent withdrawal.
They're two very different states.

 

[blackemerald1]

I agree with @bellbird. Therapist's are human and subject to everything we are.

Did she tell you for a reason?

Are you struggling with ptsd overall or with therapy?

This doesn't mean you need to stop therapy btw. But it would be good to discuss it with her and work out what to do. Maybe you need extra appointments rather than less. Maybe you need medication or a change of meds.

 

[bowiesmom]

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts. I have some better clarity about separating out what is going on for me. Before this came up, for a few weeks I've had concerns whether this Therapist has anything else to offer me. I have been stuck restarting my life and overcoming/facing resilience to CPTSD post accident. She has connected me to the "whys" I can't function, but not to function.

I'm my own obstacle. I hate the concept of finding a new therapist. I probably need to do this and the med taper issue is a push.

I have to admit that it is an oddity to me that I should go on psych meds because my therapist is coming off of her meds or see this woman more. I'm not depressed or anxious over the loss of this particular therapist. I'm more exasperated by starting with someone new.

 

[bellbird]

I have to admit that it is an oddity to me that I should go on psych meds because my therapist is coming off of her meds

Sorry if I've missed something, but I'm a little confused as to how this is a causal link?

 

[Justmehere]

Have you told her of your concerns?

Seems reasonable to look into changes if you don’t feel like you are improving after 2 years. The change might include not just the therapist but how you approach therapy and how much you share or hold back.

 

[blackemerald1]

Are you struggling with ptsd overall or with therapy?

So, all you are struggling with is the fact that your therapist takes medication and is going to taper off her own meds and therefore this means in your mind that you have to find another therapist?

This has brought me to question whether I'm getting something from this therapy.

^This was the reason why I suggested you explore other options.

The bottomline is that I am struggling.

And this^

But it would be good to discuss it with her and work out what to do. Maybe you need extra appointments rather than less. Maybe you need medication or a change of meds.

oddity to me that I should go on psych meds because my therapist is coming off of her meds or see this woman more.

Right, now having explained your dilemma obviously medications for yourself are not appropriate. But you didn't explain this at the time I posted.

I'm more exasperated by starting with someone new.

So you have decided to start with a new therapist because - idk why... you don't want to be near anyone that takes meds or you are struggling with what you are actually getting from therapeutic process with this therapist? But either way you are going to find a new therapist and that's a problem too. Or all of it? :confused:

 

[TruthSeeker]

So, all you are struggling with is the fact that your therapist takes medication and is going to taper off her own meds and therefore this means in your mind that you have to find another therapist?



^This was the reason why I suggested you explore other options.



And this^




Right, now having explained your dilemma obviously medications for yourself are not appropriate. But you didn't explain this at the time I posted.



So you have decided to start with a new therapist because - idk why... you don't want to be near anyone that takes meds or you are struggling with what you are actually getting from therapeutic process with this therapist? But either way you are going to find a new therapist and that's a problem too. Or all of it? :confused:

My take on therapists taking medications. When I look at people who work in the helping field and the number who take drugs for mental health- it is high. So, I’m thinking it’s okay for anyone who helps me get my shit in order -if they function at their best and use meds. Kudos to them. Maybe her mentioning her meds was a tactic to normalize your own med experience. My trauma therapist now reveals things about her personally to benefit the therapeutic relationship-could that have been it?

 

[EveHarrington]

I'm feeling like I don't want to be her patient while she goes through drug withdrawal.

Who knows if she will even have withdrawal symptoms?

Effexor? Hoo Doggies, that one is hell to get off of.

Others? Even going cold turkey may not cause any symptoms.

It all depends on what she’s taking, her doses, etc.

 

[Nessa7]

If one of my therapists were to tell me this, I don't know that I'd see it any differently than any other time one of them has mentioned something going on with their health. I've had therapists mention if they're having dental surgery or something so that if they had to cancel an appointment due to it that I wouldn't be surprised.